# Best Practices
Before you begin your first project, you'll need to review the Best Practices guide. This guide will help you complete each step of your assignment successfully.
* **Always** use the project instructions provided online and follow them in order.
* **Always** begin a project with the Start file; **do not** start using a file that you created yourself.
* **Always** use the correct version of the MS Office software to complete your project.
* **Always** use a single space after punctuation at the end of sentences; **do not** use two spaces.
* **Do not** open your Start File with Office Online unless it is specifically required in the instructions.
* **Do not** copy and paste any part of the project unless specified in the instructions.
* **Do not** switch between Windows and Mac computers while completing your project.
* **Do not** include the SAMPLE SOLUTION watermark in your solution file.
{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Microsoft Office 2019/365" %}
## :heavy\_check\_mark: Determine your version of Office
Different versions of Microsoft Office have different features, menu options, themes and styles. Microsoft Office 365/2019 projects must be completed using Microsoft Office 365 or Microsoft Office 2019.
{% content-ref url="your-office-version" %}
[your-office-version](https://help.simnetonline.com/students/assignments/projects/your-office-version)
{% endcontent-ref %}
## :100: To Complete a Project
### :arrow\_down: Step 1: Download the Project Files and follow the instructions
| Download the files needed to complete your project assignment. |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Method one** |
| Download the *REQUIRED* project files using the links in the *1. Download* section. Click the **Start File** link to open or save the file in which you will complete your project. Click the **Resources** link to download the additional files you will need to complete your project. If the Resources link does not appear, your project does not require additional resources. |
| **Method two** |
| To download the *REQUIRED* project files using the *Download Wizard*, click the **File Download Wizard** link in the *1. Download* section. When the Download Wizard opens, the project start file will download automatically to the downloads folder on your computer. Click the **Download Resource Bundle** button for resources. If the *Download Resource Bundle* button does not appear, your project does not have any additional resources. In the last window of the Wizard, you may choose to download the *Solution File pdf*, *Best Practices* file or Skip downloading any files. When done, click the **CLOSE** button the close the *Download Wizard*. |
Your start file will be automatically renamed to include your name. Do all your work in this file and only this file!
Open your downloaded start file. After opening your start file, view the project instructions on screen by selecting the **View: Instructions** button. Project instructions may differ between Office for Windows and Office for Mac. In this case you will see *Windows/Mac* switch in the instructions. By default, the selection matches your type of computer. Many projects don’t have instruction differences between Office for Windows and Office for Mac. In this case you will see the message “*These instructions are compatible with both Microsoft Windows and Mac operating systems*.”
Use any Resources as instructed to complete the project. Follow each instruction using the instructions online. After you complete each step, click the **check box** next to it if you would like to track your progress. The next unfinished step in the project will be highlighted yellow. If you would like to clear all of the check marks to start again, click the **Reset Progress** button. The instructions may be printed or saved to a PDF by clicking on the **printer/download** icon. Review your previous submissions by clicking the **View: Previous** attempts button. Depending on what your instructor has made available to you, you can view your previous attempts to see where you lost any points to improve your score on the next submission.
### :arrow\_up: Step 2: Upload & Save the Project
| Once you have finished your project file, you need to upload & save it to SIMnet. |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Method One** |
| Click and drag your file to the *2. Upload* section. Release the file in the yellow area. |
| **Method Two** |
| Click the **Upload my file** button under *2. Upload* section. Select your file in the File Explorer and click **Open** to upload it. |
In the *Submit Uploaded file?* dialog, click **No, I’m not ready**, to save your file to SIMnet. If you have uploaded a file previously, this new file will replace it. Once you’ve uploaded your file, you can download it again from the *SAVED FILE* link in the *3. Submit* section, by clicking the file name link.
### :inbox\_tray: Step 3: Submit your Project for Grading
Once you have uploaded your project file, the *Submit Uploaded File* wizard will also let you grade your file immediately by clicking **Yes, submit the file**. If you select **No, I’m not ready.** in step 3, you can just click the **Grade my file** button to submit your project for grading. Once the project is graded a *Project Results* page will open. You can filter the results by *Correct*, *Partial* or *Incorrect* answers.
{% endtab %}
{% tab title="Microsoft Office 2016" %}
## :heavy\_check\_mark: Determine your version of Office
Different versions of Microsoft Office have different features, menu options, themes and styles. Use the correct version of the MS Office software to complete your project. All 2016 Word, Excel and PowerPoint projects have been adapted for Mac users.
{% content-ref url="your-office-version" %}
[your-office-version](https://help.simnetonline.com/students/assignments/projects/your-office-version)
{% endcontent-ref %}
## :100: To Complete a Project
### :arrow\_down: Step 1: Download the Project Files and follow the instructions
| Download the files needed to complete your Project assignment. |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Method One** |
| Download the optional project files using the links under the OPTIONAL DOWNLOADS section. Click the Best Practices link to download the Best Practices guide. Click the Solution link to download the project solution PDF if it has been made available by your instructor.
Click the All office versions link under the START FILE section to download the project start file.
Download the required project files using the links. Click the Office for Windows (2013 or 2016) link under INSTRUCTIONS to open or save the step-by-step directions. For Mac instructions, click the Office for Mac 2016.
Click All office versions link under RESOURCES section for extra files necessary to complete the project. If the RESOURCES section does not appear, your project does not require additional resources.
|
| **Method Two** |
| |
| To download the required project files using the Download Wizard, click the open the File Download Wizard link under 1. Download files. section. When the Download Wizard opens, the project start file will download automatically to the downloads folder on your computer.
Click the Download Instruction File button for instructions, then the Download Resource Bundle button for resources. If the Download Resource Bundle button does not appear, your project does not have any additional resources.
In the last window of the Wizard, you may choose to download the Solution File pdf, Best Practices file or Skip downloading any files. When done, click the CLOSE button to the close the Download Wizard.
|
### :checkered\_flag: Step 2: Complete the Project
Open your downloaded start file and follow the Instructions to complete your project in the start file. Use any Resources as instructed to complete the project. Be sure to complete all instructions carefully!
**NOTE**: Your start file will be renamed automatically to include your name. Change the project file name if directed to do so by your instructor, and save it. Do all your work in this file and only this file!
### :arrow\_up: Step 3: Upload & Save the Project
Once you have finished your project file, you need to upload & save it to **SIMnet**. Click the **Upload my file** button under *2. Save file.* section. Select your file in the **File Explorer**, and click **Open** to upload it.
In the *Submit Uploaded file?* dialog, click **No, I’m not ready,** to save your file to **SIMnet**. If you have uploaded a file previously, this new file will replace it. Once you’ve uploaded your file, you can download it again from the CURRENT FILE section, by clicking the file name link.
### :inbox\_tray: Step 4: Submit your Project for Grading
Once you have uploaded your project file, the *Submit Uploaded File* wizard will also let you grade your file immediately by clicking **Yes, submit the file.** If you select **No, I’m not ready** in step 3, you can just click the **Grade my file** button to submit your project for grading.
Once the project is graded a **Project Results** page will open. You can filter the results by *Correct*, *Partial* or *Incorrect* answers. You can also view the feedback for the partially correct and incorrectly completed instructions by clicking the arrow to the right of the instruction number.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}
You will need to save files to your computer to complete Project assignments. Review those steps for your browser before attempting your project.
{% content-ref url="../../miscellaneous/saving-files" %}
[saving-files](https://help.simnetonline.com/students/miscellaneous/saving-files)
{% endcontent-ref %}
Some Project assignments include .zip files to download. Review the steps for downloading and extracting .zip files for your project.
{% content-ref url="../../miscellaneous/extracting-.zips" %}
[extracting-.zips](https://help.simnetonline.com/students/miscellaneous/extracting-.zips)
{% endcontent-ref %}
### Canadian Users
SIMnet Projects allow users to enter dates in Canadian style. To function correctly, users must have both their browser and Microsoft Office set to use the **English (Canada)** language option. Canadian users may use either English (United States) or English (Canada) for their browser and Office language. However, both browser and Office must be the same to work properly.
{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Setting your Browser Language Option" %}
View the Settings menu on your browser of choice. View the Language Settings. These are typically under the Advanced options. If you do not see your language option of choice selected, click **Add Language** and select **English (Canada)**. Ensure that the language preference is listed first by using the three dot menu to change the order so that *English (Canada)* is first.
{% endtab %}
{% tab title="Setting your Office Language Option" %}
Microsoft Office uses the Language option set in your OS.
In Windows, go to the **Settings** menu and select **Time & Language**. Select **Language** and ensure that the desired language is displayed, **English (Canada)**.
In Mac OS, go to the **System Preferences** menu, click **Language & Region**. Select the desired region, **Canada**.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}
### Other Non-English (US) Users
Microsoft allows for a wide range of local customization for thinigs like date styles and currency. SIMnet Project assignments are written to English (US) regional settings. Your web-browser settings and your computer's language and regional settings must match English (US). For more information about how to set your browser and operating system:
{% content-ref url="matching-your-browser-and-office-regional-settings" %}
[matching-your-browser-and-office-regional-settings](https://help.simnetonline.com/students/assignments/projects/matching-your-browser-and-office-regional-settings)
{% endcontent-ref %}